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According to new IPL rules, overseas players can’t be paid more than Rs 18 crore in mini auctions. Rs 18 crore was the highest slab to retain players ahead of the mega auction.
Overseas players can’t be paid more than Rs 18 crore in IPL 2026 auction. (Picture Credit: AFP)
A total of 1355 cricketers from around the world have registered themselves for the IPL 2026 players auction, which is set to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. As per a report in ESPN Cricinfo, 43 overseas and two Indian players have listed themselves in the maximum base price category of Rs 2 crore to participate in the 2026 IPL auction, which is expected to see an intense bidding war between multiple franchises to secure the services of multiple overseas stars, such as Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.
While Green missed the 2025 edition of the world’s richest franchise cricket league due to an injury, Pathirana surprisingly was released by Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The youngster, who has a slinging bowling action like former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, is reportedly a top target for many teams, and going by the history of IPL mini auctions, it won’t be a surprise if he becomes the most expensive player.
As of now the record of being the most expensive player in the IPL mini auction is in the name of legendary Australian pacer Mitchell Starc, who was signed for Rs 24.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024. KKR are entering the IPL 2026 auction with a purse for Rs 64.30 crore, and they are again set to make some big money signings after opting to retain only 12 players ahead of the auction.
But this time in the IPL 2026 auction, any overseas player will not be able to pocket more than Rs 18 crore.
Why?
This is because of the new IPL rules that were introduced by BCCI ahead of the mega auction last year.
As per the new rules, the maximum fee for any overseas player in the mini auction cannot exceed Rs 18 crore, and this will apply even if the bid is higher than this number. Rs 18 crore was the highest slab for franchises retaining players ahead of the 2025 mega auction, and that’s why no overseas player can pocket more than Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2026 auction.
If the IPL franchises bid for more than Rs 18 crore to secure the services of any overseas player, then the additional money (anything over Rs 18 crore), as per the IPL, would be utilised by the BCCI for player welfare.
However, the maximum-fee rule will not be applicable for Indian players, and they will get the actual bid money.
Which simply means if the likes of Green or Pathirana join any team for, say, Rs 20 crore, then they will pocket Rs 18 crore, and the other Rs 2 crore would be utilised by the BCCI for player welfare, but the full amount of Rs 20 crore will be deducted from the franchise’s purse. But if any Indian player is signed for Rs 20 crore or so, then he will get the full amount.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 04, 2025, 05:50 IST
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